Rupert Everett: “I stuck out like a sore thumb in Hollywood"
Nov 15, 2024
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Rupert Everett, a versatile actor, writer, and director, reflects on his remarkable 40-year career in the entertainment industry. He shares his early love for performance, starting from school plays to his breakout role in 'Another Country'. Despite his success in Hollywood, he candidly admits to struggling with self-confidence and societal expectations. Everett also discusses the impact of his childhood and the transformative power of theater, alongside the challenges he faced as an outsider navigating identity and the complexities of his experiences in both film and theater.
Rupert Everett's early passion for acting, sparked by his childhood influences and rebellious nature, shaped his eventual career path in show business.
Despite achieving Hollywood fame, Everett openly struggles with self-confidence and discomfort within the industry's standards and expectations.
His time spent in France fostered personal growth, allowing him to embrace his identity and navigate the complexities of a fluctuating career.
Deep dives
The Impact of Childhood
Rupert Everett discusses his early years, marked by a military upbringing and a family steeped in tradition. He reflects on the happiness of his childhood, particularly the time spent with his grandparents in Norfolk, which contrasts sharply with the strictness of his home life. His first experience in a cinema, particularly watching 'Mary Poppins,' profoundly influenced him and sparked his desire to become an actor. This experience also led him to detach from his identity as the son of his military parents, imagining himself as Julie Andrews' daughter instead.
Struggles with Education
Everett describes his tumultuous academic journey, marked by failure in traditional educational settings and a rebellious spirit that often manifested in attention-seeking behavior. He recounts his struggles to adapt to the strict environment of prep school, where emotions were often suppressed, and asserts that while he may have presented a showy persona, a deeper emotional detachment was present. The pressure to succeed academically was significant, yet he often felt overlooked and misunderstood by his teachers. Ultimately, at Ampleforth, he found a place where he was more accepted and began to embrace his passion for acting.
Introduction to Acting
The theater became a refuge for Everett, allowing him to explore his creative side while finding acceptance among peers who shared his passion. He recounts his humorous and dramatic experiences in drama, such as his initial unsatisfying portrayal in his first play, which surprisingly turned into a success on opening night. This pivotal moment solidified his aspiration to pursue acting professionally. While facing challenges from bullying and societal norms, he also embraced his identity, crafting a unique bond with fellow actors, reinforcing his commitment to the performing arts.
Navigating the Hollywood Landscape
Transitioning to Hollywood brought new challenges for Everett, who wrestled with feelings of inadequacy and the pressures of conforming to industry standards. He observed the relaxed demeanor of Hollywood actors, which contrasted with his own anxiousness, and struggled to fit into a system that he found uncomfortable. Despite a promising start in the entertainment industry, his path was complicated by personal and professional setbacks that shaped his perception of success. The fear of not being able to adapt contributed to a fluctuating career trajectory, marked by highs and lows.
Reflections on Growth and Identity
After years in France, Everett describes a period of introspection that allowed him to emerge as a more nuanced individual. Immersed in a new culture and language, he felt liberated from his earlier persona, enabling him to engage with the world differently. His experiences as an outsider in both personal and professional realms enriched his understanding of himself and his art. Everett emphasizes that continuous growth and resilience remain integral to navigating the unpredictable landscape of show business, highlighting the importance of perseverance amidst adversity.
For thirty-six year, James has been chasing this interview and now, he's finally secured it. Actor, writer and director Rupert Everett joins him to talk about the highs and lows of his extraordinary 40-year career in show business.
Rupert discovered performing when he was a young boy and got a thrill from showing off in school plays at Ampleforth College - so much so, that he left school at 15 to pursue a career in acting. His breakout role came in 1981 when he was cast as Guy Bennett in Another Country. He went on to find fame in Hollywood, starring opposite Julia Roberts in My Best Friend's Wedding.
Despite his success, Rupert admits he lacked the confidence to fully embrace Hollywood. He continued working in films and theatre but started to concentrate more on his writing. After a decade in the making, he released his first screenplay The Happy Prince in 2018 - a deeply personal project which he also directed and starred in.
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